Los Angeles daily herald., 1887-06-26
Immigration Coming.

The following letter was written to
the Sacramento Record. Union under
date of June 4th by III. w. Van Arman,
immigration agent OF the railroad com
pany at Chicago:
"During my recent visit to California
my time was SO limited l was unable to
see as much of your city as l desired,
but l noticed an activity among your
people, and an earnest effort seemed to
be desired among your business men to
promote the general welfare which is
highly commendable. l thought at the
time was present at the organization of
your City Improvement committee that
your people were taking a step In the
right direction.
/ have been much Of the time for the
past few months talking and correspond.
ing with parties throughout the north
western States concerning California,
and I tell you that they ore coming by
thousands to the Golden State. The
fearfally cold winters here, and bliz-
yards and storms which rush over the
northwestern territory for several months
in the year have set men OF intelligence
to thinking, and when they come to
know what fine climate is found in Cal.
iforuia they wish to 60 there.
The Southern Pacific Company is ad.
vertising California literally, and tha
very best and most attractive printed
matter is thoroughly circulated among
people who desire information. The
thirty or forty millions OF people living
in the Northwestern States and Teri.
tories are learning the fact that Califor.
MIA is a good country to inhabit, and
the carrying capacity OF the Southern
Pacific will this fall and winter be taxed
to its utmost in transporting passengers
to California. The railroad people are
doing a noble work for the State, aud
should be supported thoroughly by your
people in their efforts.
1t is necessary that you be prepared
to receive the multitude that is coming.
Do not permit avarice or greed to drive
away those who come seeking homes.
Let those who have land for sale dis
pose of it at fair price. cannot tell a
farmer from Michigan, Ohio or Mime
s.to to sell lis land at $50, $75 or 500
per acre and go out there and pay the
same price for other land. In vain l
talk the climate to him: in vain l in.
form him of the lr 1u
q
won't understand it. So it is necessary
that small or medium sized farms be
sold these newcomers at fair prices.
an satisfied that none of us, even in
California, are posted thoroughly about
the resources or capacity of the country.
In my trip down the San Joaquin valley
recently found land in Kern county,
south Of Tulare lake, which in quality
OF soil, climatic advantages, etc., will
compare favorably with the most favored
locality in California. saw water from
artesian wells flowing out clear, pure
and bright; l saw the land covered with
verdure and no evidences of desert
such as I had supposed existed in that
locality. rode for miles over the level
plains on land entirely free from "hog
wallow;" I saw very little alkali lands.
although there are some tracts white
with it, but l found the conditions OF
climate and soil favorable for the main.
tenance of thousands of people, and
through the vista of the near future
could see this vast plain covered with
the vine and fruit tree and the prosper.
Gus, happy homes of contented people.
know that the lands in the Sacra.
mento valley will be utilized soon by
settlers, and there is much near your
city which will be settled on before long.
1t is the duty of your citizens to prepare
for these people and make things as
pleasant as possible for them when they
come. When large trains of excursions.
lists are coming, meet them at the depot
with fruits and flowers. and above all
with that hearty greeting which Califor.
mans know SO we'll how to do.
am trying in my feeble way to do
all can to thoroughly advertise you
and to send forward the people. At
least every two weeks hereafter the
overland train from the East will be
obliged to run in two sections. and
sometimes more, to carry the passen-
gers; SO look out for them and your
outlaying districts will soon be filed
with Industrious, intelligent people,"